"
Half an hour later the hurricane struck them, and for the next three
days the tempest was terrible. Great waves swept over the ship, and
every time that the captain attempted to show a rag of canvas, it was
blown from the bolt ropes. The ship, however, was a stout one, and
weathered the gale.
Upon the fourth morning the passengers, who had, during the tempest,
been battened below, came on deck. The sky was bright and clear, and
the waves were fast going down. A good deal of sail was already set,
and the hands were at work to repair damages.
"Well, captain," Charlie said to that officer, "I congratulate you on
the behaviour of the ship. It has been a tremendous gale, and she has
weathered it stoutly."
"Yes, Captain Marryat, she has done well. I have only once or twice
been out in so severe a storm, since I came to sea."
"And where are we now?" Charlie asked, looking round the horizon.
"When shall we be at Madras?"
"Well," the captain said with a smile, "I am afraid that you must give
up all idea of seeing Madras, just at present. We have been blown
right up the bay, and are only a few hours' sail from the mouth of the
Hoogly. I have a far larger cargo for that place than for Madras, and
it would be a pure waste of time for me to put back now.
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